A Face like Flint
Read: Luke 9:51-56 His face was set toward Jerusalem. (v. 53) With the arrival of summer, many churches send teams on short-term missions. Maybe you’re getting ready to go or are
Jon Opgenorth July 1, 2023
In Luke 10, Jesus sent his followers on a life-changing mission trip. He gave them specific, practical, spiritual advice to help them prepare. His advice is still the best guide for preparing for mission trips today.
Are you preparing for a mission trip? Jesus was clear: everyone who follows him is sent and should prepare for mission. It may be across the street or across the ocean, on a special mission trip or in your everyday life, but if you are following Jesus, you are sent!
This 10-day devotional series on Luke 10 gives insight for your life of service wherever and whenever you are sent, but especially as you prepare for a mission trip.
Read: Luke 9:51-56 His face was set toward Jerusalem. (v. 53) With the arrival of summer, many churches send teams on short-term missions. Maybe you’re getting ready to go or are
Read: Luke 9:57-62 I will follow you wherever you go. (v. 57) Most of us can find ourselves among these would-be followers that Jesus encounters on his way to Jerusalem. The
Read: Luke 10:1; Acts 1:6-8 The Lord appointed seventy-two. (Luke 10:1) The first rule of mission is that it’s Christ’s mission, not ours. Luke 10:1 plainly says “the Lord” appoints
Read: Luke 10:2; Acts 13:1-2 The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. (Luke 10:2) One Tuesday last November, I was setting out with our Ugandan team for a
Read: Luke 10:3, Psalm 23 Behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. (v. 3) As a little boy, I loved singing “Onward, Christian Soldiers” in
Read: Luke 10:4, Acts 13:3-5 Carry no moneybag, no knapsack . . . (v. 4) On my first mission experience in Uganda, I packed a digital camera but forgot the charging
Read: Luke 10:5-7 Peace be to this house! (v. 5) I don’t begin most conversations among new people with “peace.” To me, it sounds a bit like humans greeting aliens in
Read: Luke 10:8-9 Eat what is set before you. (v. 8) Many mission trips focus on work. The participants want to get things done, concentrating on the results: the number of
Read: Luke 10:10-12 The kingdom of God has come near. (v. 11) Most people love affirmation and fear rejection. That’s why Facebook and Instagram have a button for “like” but not
Rev. Jon Opgenorth serves as president of Words of Hope. Previously, he served for 18 years as senior pastor at Trinity Reformed Church in Orange City, Iowa. In preparation for ministry, he received a BA in Religion from Northwestern College, and an MDiv from Fuller Theological Seminary.